Not quite sure who this is, but I responsed to his interview and here is the post.

http://jarrarsupariver.blogspot.com/2006/08/in-t-view-israeli-bloggers-on-israeli.html

In this In T View we present Joe Settler, writing from somewhere in the liberated land of Israel, and telling us about life there, the war, Israeli society and politics in the aptly named Joe Settler blog.

MG: How does your routine or perception change during a crisis like this? Do you become a news junky, call frequently to check on your family members and friends, worry a lot, spend more time with your loved ones?

Joe Settler: I follow the news slightly more, but that's about it.

MG: Do you think it's an accurate assessment to say that while Israel appears to be winning the actual war they are losing the propaganda battle?

Joe Settler: Israel will only win the Lebanon aspect of this war against Islamic terrorism if Hizbollah is destroyed and the Lebanon government takes responsibility for (South) Lebanon and what goes on in general inside its borders. I can't say that we are winning or losing the actual war or the propaganda war as only the final results will tell.

MG: If you had the chance to watch any of the international coverage of the war like CNN, BBC, or Fox, do you think their coverage has been fair and objective?

Joe Settler: I have not been watching them.

MG: What would you say to your compatriots in the Lebanese blogosphere?

Joe Settler: This is your window opportunity to rid yourselves of the Syrian and Iranian influence in your lives and create a free society and government that you (hopefully) want with the full aid and support of the rest of the world. You can decide to use this opportunity to create a society free of terror and Islamic Fundamentalism with massive global opportunities, or you can sit back and let Syria and Iran via Hizbollah continue to manipulate your lives. The choice is yours.I hope you choose to take this opportunity.

MG: So what's your biggest complaint with the Omert government's handling of this crisis?

Joe Settler: Olmert's not using enough air power ahead of the ground troops arrival, and he hasn't learned the underlying lessons of this war – this is a religious war of fundamental Islamic terrorism against not just the Jewish State, but the entire world. His 'realignment' plan is doomed to return us to the same situation after he implements it.

MG: When a ceasefire is declared, what would you be more comfortable with, UN Peacekeepers in Southern Lebanon or NATO forces? And why?
Joe Settler: A ceasefire without the eradication of Hizbollah beforehand will just return us to the same situation in a matter of time.I prefer neither.

As an independent sovereign entity the Lebanese government must take full control and responsibility for what goes on inside its borders. If it can't and either UN or NATO troops are required to be deployed, then Lebanon might as well be dissolved as it simply can't justify its own existence anymore.

I might not have no problem with NATO troops assisting Lebanese troops secure their interior against Hizbollah and other Syrian/Iranian internal influences as it would be clear that this is part of the global battle against Islamic Fundamentalism, but long term it is very bad for both Lebanon and Israel.

Either way, their entry into Lebanon would be bad for Israel as it would limit our response capability if Hizbollah wasn't destroyed before their introduction.

MG says: Our thanks go out to Joe.

And here is a comment I wrote there in response to a Lebanese reader:

Interesting comment but one unfortunately full of historical and factual errors.

I have no interest in dissolving Lebanon.

Without the Syrian and Iranian influence, much less Islamic Fundamentalism, Lebanon can return to being the Arab Jewel of the Middle East. On the other hand, remaining a proxy of the Axis of Evil negates any reason for it to remain. Lebanon as a state is only 5 years older than the Third Jewish Commonwealth in Israel , and the region certainly doesn’t need another state steeped in Islamic terror.

That the Arab states don’t accept our existence is far more a statement of their failures and autocratic repressive regimes rather than the issue of Israel’s existence. It is unfortunate that you actually believe that the Arab states that offensively attacked Israel from 1948 onwards were somehow on the defensive.

It is also unfortunate that you don’t realize that the Shaba farms actually belonged to Syria and not Lebanon and all maps indicate this. While Syria just recently ‘ceded’ the farms to Lebanon they have still yet to provide the UN with any collaborating documentation that they have actually done so. Nor will they, as Syria, as you are well aware, views Lebanon not as an independent state, but as Syrian controlled territory and therefore they would never write a document that indicated any independence of their Lebanese province.

Unfortunately, Lebanon chooses to, or is unable to manage what goes on inside its borders, and what goes on inside your borders is directed against Israel. Whether the decision is willful or not, it requires that we in Israel defend ourselves against your impotency, incompetence, or malice – you select your motivation.

Accept that Hizbollah have gotten you into this current mess, and the decision to remove this cancer from your midst is your own.

Israel nearly signed a peace treaty once with Lebanon on May 17, 1983 but the Syrians and your internecine problems ultimately prevented its ratification. Remove your ties to Islamic Fundamentalist terrorism and the Axis of Evil and I’m sure peace and its remunerations would quickly follow.

Squeeze the doll and he yells out "Dirty Jew!".

Give him a bottle and he says a lot more than that.

In a rather strange twist of events, Egypt is apparently offering to openly collaborate and assist the Palestinian terrorists with the kidnapping and hostage taking of Israeli citizens.

Shades of Azzam Azzam, YNET is reporting that our kidnapped soldier will be delivered to Egypt for “safe” holding until the PA’s hostage demands are met by Israel (the release of terrorists caught in the act of attempted murder that happen to be women or minors under the age of 18). Once the Palestinian terrorists are satisfied, only then will their Egyptian collaborators free our kidnapped soldier.

Egyptian officials have confirmed this report and are debating whether or not to participate.

Does anyone else see something wrong with this scenario?

Have you ever sat in an audience with a group of Israelis?

Did you notice (how could you not?) the beat of their synchronous clapping as the crowd applauds in perfect unison with impeccable timing?

Nothing at all like the free-for-all ‘white noise’ clapping of an enthusiastic American audience that fills an auditorium.

Annoying, isn’t it?

Have you ever wondered why Israelis clap that way?

My theory is that it is a side-effect of the Israeli fear of being alone and unloved.

That theory explains why the Israeli behind you is practically on top of you when you are entering your bank code at the cash machine, it explains why the Israeli sticks to the back of your car even if you are the only two cars on the highway, and it explains why Israelis want the UN to love them even as they say "Um Shmum".

Israelis can’t stand to be alone and different, so they even clap in unison with the rest of the crowd.

A form of isopraxism, if you will, as they try to reach a unified synergy with those around them.

Scientists have actually studied the phenomenon and have come up with different explanations for the cause.

One study (done in Europe, as the phenomenon is relatively uncommon in the US) found that synchronicity vs. white noise clapping is directly related to the actual enthusiasm and true excitement of the crowd. A less enthused crowd will clap in unison, a genuinely appreciative or enthused crowd will exhibit much more white noise for longer periods of time.

Why do I mention all this?

Well, the Prime Minister just got on TV in front of a crowd in Tel Aviv and said, “There is no cease fire, there will be no cease fire, we will continue to fight and we will win.”

The crowd spontaneously broke out in massive white noise clapping that went on at least 45 seconds before it became synchronous. I have never heard an Israeli crowd clap non-synchronously for more than the 2 seconds it took them to find the beat.

And just now, at the end of his speech, again white noise clapping for at least 15 seconds (though some sounds of synchronicity were trying to force their way in).

In short, Israel actually and truly does want to fight and win this war.

I hope Olmert understands that this is what the people want and they support him in this (and not his convergence/realignment plan).

As Chareidi relatives of mine openly and lovingly take in masses of Jewish refugees from the North, and others are preparing food packages and so on, I found this article quite appropriate on how everyone is doing their part.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3283540,00.html

Lebanon crisis and the army of God

Anyone walking by Mea Shearim's central synagogue this week would have had to rub his eyes in disbelief, the quarter's inhabitants had been praying for the sake of the people of Israel for 72 consecutive hours

by Neta Sela


Anyone walking by Mea Shearim's central synagogue this week would have had to rub his eyes in disbelief, the quarter's inhabitants had been praying for the sake of the people of Israel for 72 consecutive hours Neta Sela

It is commonly thought that the ultra-orthodox community in Israel lives in a closed and sealed bubble, and does not take an interest in matters that do not directly relate to it.

Apparently, however, members of the community in Bnei Brak and Mea Shearim are fearful for the fate of the Jewish people and the state of Israel, and are not only fearful of god.

In the past two weeks, since hostilities began in the north, the community has been conducting special prayers for the abducted soldiers, IDF fighters and for the citizens of the northen communities.

"More than 50 years ago the ultra-orthodox community said 'you fight and we'll pray'", said a staff member at the prime minister's office this week, who is also a close aid of the former prime minister Ariel Sharon.


"It's true that they were always criticized about this, but on the other hand, they really do stand by their part of the agreement. They don't try to dodge the commitment they took upon themselves. Ultra-orthodox worshippers pray because they truly believe that that's what will help, and perhaps we need someone to do it."

72 hours of Psalms

Anyone walking by Mea Shearim's central synagogue this week would have had to rub his eyes in disbelief. Hundreds of the quarter's inhabitants prayed for 72 consecutive hours in shifts changing every two hours. The shifts included men and women who came to read Psalms for the "sake of the people of Israel."

The Jerusalemite quarter is considered to be the stronghold of the ultra-orthodox community, and it is where members of the most extreme sects of the orthodox community, who are opposed to the Israeli government, reside.

Without prior notice a vehicle sounding psalms on a loudspeaker stopped at the Etnura square in Bnei Brak Thursday. An eye witness at the scene said hundreds of the city's inhabitants stopped to take part. Prayers and other rallies were also conducted throughout the country as well as in countries such as Antwerp, Belgium and in Gateshead, England.


Members of an orthodox organization tried to maintain ongoing Gemara studies in dozens of synagogues throughout the north of the country, conducting lessons in the bomb shelters. The organization's coordinators touring the north tried to address the influx of requests for study kits. Requests also came from the IDF.

It's no holiday, we have to study Torah

On Saturday evening two weeks ago, on the day a grandmother and her grandson from the Miron settlement were killed by rockets fired into Tiberias for the first time, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef came to give his weekly sermon at the Yizdim synagogue in the Bukhara quarter in Jerusalem. He was accompanied by the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Shlomo Amar.

At the end of the sermon Rabbi Yosef prayed for the IDF soldiers, blessed the abducted soldiers and asked that they be returned safely, he prayed for the wellbeing of the citizens of the north and of the southern city of Sderot. He also asked those present to begin saying morning and afternoon prayers as well as a special prayer said during the ten days of repentance.

On Tuesday of this week, the eve of the month of Av, Rabbi Yosef announced the holding of a rally at the Western Wall, and modified the prayer marking "difficult times." More than ten thousand people attended the rally; they read psalms and prayers along with the kabbalist rabbis.

In the world of orthodox Yeshivas it is common to take a three week vacation commencing from the end of Tu Be'av until the beginning of the month of Elul. However, Rabbi Yosef told the congregation at the payer rally that there will be no vacations this year.

"We're all experiencing these troubled times, so what's a vacation? We have to study the Torah. With the help of the Torah God will save us. We have to strengthen those who are risking their lives," said the rabbi.

There's nowhere to go

The Rabbi of Braslev in Safed, Eliezer Kenig, arrived on the evening prior to the rally. He came with dozens of his students who had remained in the city, in order to pray at the gravesite of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Miron. Generally, at the beginning of each month, hundreds of worshippers, if not more, flock to the area. This week, only a few dozen arrived.

Rabbi Kenig sent the young boys from his yeshiva to study at the Braslev Yeshiva in Beni Brak, but he himself decided to remain in the city along with the 40 families of his yeshiva students.

"Where can we go? Several of our students joined their parents in Haifa and Carmiel, but the rockets fell there too. If we flee, will they stop firing the rockets? We have to stay put and pray that God will protect us, and yes we'll stay and prevail, thanks to our faith. These words were written thousands of years ago, not today."

Rabbi Kenig abides by a classic religious faith. He is of the opinion that "this war has come to awaken us, to remind us that we must become stronger and believe that the State of Israel is the only place for the Jewish people. Even if we ask the non-Jewish populations they too will agree that the state of Israel is our home."

According to Rabbi Kenig, this awakening applies to all sectors of the Jewish people. "We are seeing that it doesn't matter these days who is secular and who is orthodox. We are one people and there are no differences between us. The people of Israel are a unique people that are able reveal their quality from within, as well as the reason for their united existence here in the land of Israel.

Perhaps what we need is unity

For the past two weeks 25 volunteers from Megan David Adoms's orthodox volunteer organization have been manning four stations in Safed, Hatzor Haglilit, Tiberias and Avivim. They sent the women and children to Kibbutz Hafetz Haim to the south of Gedera, so that they could dedicate themselves entirely to their work and the evacuation of wounded civilians and soldiers in the north.

"The contact with the forces who are risking their lives for us," says one of the volunteers Nachman Klien, "strengthens the unity among the Jewish people. I evacuated several soldiers from the area, and it wasn't easy.

"One of my friends evacuated the regiment commander who was wounded during the fighting. He told us that while the soldier was being evacuated, he called to leave instructions before being admitted into hospital, despite his multiple wounds and the severe pain he was in. These are things that give a lot of strength, knowing that our soldiers are strong people and we trust them and believe that with the help of god they will get the job done."

Klein talked about dozens of benevolent organizations who came to the north over the past two weeks, bringing food to those in the shelters or hosting families. "The volunteers keep running from one place to another. During the weekend they give out hot Shabbat meals to those who have remained behind. This unity, the good deeds and charity is perhaps what's really missing."

From the Magen David Adom station in Safed Klein hopes that the situations encountered will be remembered.

As the hypocrites of the world unite to provide financial aid for Lebanon, not a single one of those international world bodies (with certain notable exceptions) has mentioned aid for the real victims of these dastardly attacks – Israel.

As more than 500,000 Jews are refugees from their homes, seeking sanctuary in bomb shelters, at friends, relatives, and even strangers; as businesses are destroyed, buildings destroyed, cars destroyed, Jews murdered and wounded – by Islamic Fundamentalist missiles, I haven’t heard the UN say anything about aiding Israel, I haven’t heard any of the world bodies say anything about providing aid to Israel.

As Kassams fall on Sderot injuring and killing I don't hear the UN talk about aid to the victims.

In fact, it was only when Israel began to hit back did the world suddenly remember the word “cease-fire”.

The truth is, keep your aid, and keep your cease-fires.

In the end, we Jews are keeping the mitzvah of supporting our own and don’t want or need to share it with you. We are raising our own funds to support the victims of Islamic Fundamentalism and World Hypocrisy. We are providing shelter for our own in our own homes.

You busybodies who hate Israel are so irrelevant to our existence and success. You tried to kill us or simply look away (just like now) during the Holocaust - your values and morals are less than meaningless.

Israel is the Nation that stands alone. You’ve proved that. And we’re all the better for it.

If there’s anything terrorist organizations like more than hiding behind different names for the pseudo-anonymity of their patrons (as if we didn’t know who they were), it is hiding behind civilians as they launch their attacks.

Hundreds of missiles have been launched out of Kfar Kana. Hundred of missiles striking Jewish towns, causing injuries, damage, and deaths.

Hizbollah thought they could hide behind the baby carriages of Kfar Kana and be granted invulnerability from Israeli retribution and defense.

On one hand, the deaths of the foreign civilians that Hizbollah directly caused by using them as human shields is a shame, but there comes a point when our own lives must come before those of an enemy state, as missiles from the enemy state rain down upon our civilians.

Israel cannot stand by and let Hizbollah hide behind (or in) women’s skirts while they continue to murder our citizens. Is our blood redder than theirs? I’d rather not have my blood spilt to find out.

It’s time the rules of the game are recognized for what they should be.

If Hizbollah chooses to commit war crimes and crimes against humanity by using civilians as human shields for their acts of terror, then Israel is not responsible for any results that may occur in defending ourselves. If Lebanon chooses to keep its border open with Syria to keep resupplying Hizbollah then they are just as complicit as Hizbollah.

The Lebanese government and the Lebanese people need to decide if they want Hizbollah and thereby be complicit partners in their terror, or if they don’t – and then act accordingly.

Their first act must be the return of our kidnapped soldiers and the total destruction of Hizbollah.

Nothing less.

Hizbollah has promised to take their attacks to Jewish targets worldwide. Was the attack in Seattle directly Hizbollah related?

The simple answer is ‘No’, as there is no a shortage of Islamic Fundamentalists living throughout America (and Canada) and not just in Detroit, that it gives even me pause before I would step out again on those Golden Shores (unarmed).

But was he a member of Hizbollah? Probably not, but that is irrelevant. Because as I am sure in the end we will learn that he belonged to one terrorist group or another.

When Rabbi Kahane was murdered, the authorities declared it the act of a lone gunman unassociated with any terror group. We’ve since learned how wrong that assessment was and how the Jihad in America (and perhaps even 9/11) could have been nipped in the bud at that point in time.

After El Al in LA was attacked, the US authorities declared it the act of an enraged ex-employee (or some other nonsense), unconnected to any terrorist group. Again, we’ve learned better since then.

And even if he had no other connection than his Mosque and fellow Imans, that it is sufficient enough terrorist connection in this cultural/religious war.

America wake up, the enemy isn’t at the gates, they’re already inside.

I found this on BenBayit.

As he's decided to leave it up, I would put this post by Ben Chorin on your 'Must Read' list.

http://benchorin.blogspot.com/2006/07/few-days-ago-i-posted-nasty-little.html

To my good friends in “Red” Haifa:

I write to you as a brother and, as brothers are wont to do, I will speak directly and honestly. My heart is with you in these difficult days. But still I must point out to you that if you were not in Haifa, this would not be happening to you. You chose to live in Haifa despite the inherent dangers and despite Arab claims to Haifa. Now you must pay the price for that decision.

I appreciate that you and your ancestors have dreamt of living in Haifa for generations, but do Arabs not have dreams? They too dream of Haifa and, as their rockets prove, are willing to struggle valiantly to realize those dreams. It is you who stand in their way. For how long will those of us who do not dream of Haifa, who do not even care to visit Haifa, need to do battle in the name of your messianic hallucinations?

For years we fought in Lebanon to defend you even though we did not believe in the justice of your cause. We have had enough. We do not want to chase down children shooting rockets in Lebanon. Lebanon is a quagmire. It would be simpler for all of us if you just moved elsewhere.

Unfortunately, I suspect that your idolatrous attachment to your homes is such that these arguments do not persuade you. So, at least think of the economic cost of your insistence on staying in Haifa. Do you know how much money is wasted every year on subsidizing your hopeless escapade? This money could be spent on feeding the poor, on providing care for the sick and incapacitated, on finding a cure for cancer, on shelters for battered women. Do you not care at all for the less fortunate in our society? Shame on you.

I turn to you as a brother. Come home. Come back to the heartland. To Judea and Samaria, where the rockets don’t reach. They will be there and we will be here. It would be best if you came of your own volition. We will see to it that you will be fairly compensated. But do not mistake our generosity and civility for lack of resolve. If you do not leave Haifa voluntarily, we will have no choice but to remove you by force.

With sensitivity and with resoluteness.